Temp fluctuations?

[CuriousFins]

I wanted to know how much temperature fluctuation is okay. Mine ranges between 76.8 and 78.4, although usually it stays between 77.4 and 78.1. Is this okay? Planning on having a betta and some ghost shrimp.

Edit: This is in Fahrenheit btw, in Celsius it would be 24.9-25.8 but usually stays within 25.2-25.6.

 

[connorlindeman]

I wanted to know how much temperature fluctuation is okay. Mine ranges between 76.8 and 78.4, although usually it stays between 77.4 and 78.1. Is this okay? Planning on having a betta and some ghost shrimp.

that should be fine... what type of heater do you have?

 

[CuriousFins]

that should be fine... what type of heater do you have?

This one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MJJJ4QQ/?tag=ff0d01-20

 

[CuriousFins]

As a side note, during water changes, doesn't adding a bunch of cool room temp water make the tank temp drop a bunch?

 

[connorlindeman]

This one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MJJJ4QQ/?tag=ff0d01-20

yeah i think you are fine. how big is your tank? and how many watts is your heater?

 

[connorlindeman]

As a side note, during water changes, doesn't adding a bunch of cool room temp water make the tank temp drop a bunch?

yes. you should always try to match the temp before adding to the tank

 

[CuriousFins]

yeah i think you are fine. how big is your tank? and how many watts is your heater?

10 gallon and 50 watts.

 

[Slaphppy7]

As a side note, during water changes, doesn't adding a bunch of cool room temp water make the tank temp drop a bunch?

You should be matching your tap temp to your tank temp as closely as possible during WC's

 

[CuriousFins]

You should be matching your tap temp to your tank temp as closely as possible during WC's

Okay, cool. (Orrrrrr not cool, actually pretty warm)

 

[Oblio]

As a side note, during water changes, doesn't adding a bunch of cool room temp water make the tank temp drop a bunch?

It does, drops of a few degrees are usually not a big deal. 68 tap, 74 tank, 50% change will give you 71 deg after the change. Some species (e.g. Corys) may spawn as they interpret the cooler temp as the start of the rainy season.
Make sure your heater is off during changes.

 

[Uberhoust]

Make sure your heater is off during changes.

After not turning the heater back on again I have put my heaters along the bottom of the tank. You can leave them running then.

 

[itiwhetu]

I never match temperatures when water changing. I do 25% water changes with cold water delivered by the garden hose. This will give me a 4 degree temperature drop, the fish love it and I have never had any problems with this method.

 

[Oblio]

Mine ranges between 76.8 and 78.4, although usually it stays between 77.4 and 78.1. Is this okay?

Caveat: I'm not a heater expert, but I am an engineer.

If this is an older heater, and has a bi-metallic thermostat, this large variation in hysteresis (difference between on/off temp) may be an early indication of failure. It the electrical contacts are sticking, they will fail, usually in the closed position which will, depending on room temp and heater size, cook your fish.

 

[mbsqw1d]

I wouldn't worry with a small temp change like that, as long as you're within range for the fish, or not keeping them outside their range for too long.
I, like itiwhetu, perform water changes from garden hose (cold water only) which tends to drop the tank a couple of degrees until the heater gets it back up. My corydoras in particular seem to like it and occasionally kicks them off into spawning behaviour the next morning.

 

[CuriousFins]

Caveat: I'm not a heater expert, but I am an engineer.

If this is an older heater, and has a bi-metallic thermostat, this large variation in hysteresis (difference between on/off temp) may be an early indication of failure. It the electrical contacts are sticking, they will fail, usually in the closed position which will, depending on room temp and heater size, cook your fish.

By "older heater" do you mean an older design or the actual age of the product? Cause I got this one very recently, it's only been running for a few days. (PS, it's currently running in an empty tank bc I'm waiting for the plants to arrive.) The room temp is 60 at night and 65 at day.